Ex-Rats Aucoin, Bowman sign new contracts

Two more former Albany River Rats have earned new contracts this off-season, as forwards Keith Aucoin and Drayson Bowman have signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively.

Aucoin joins Toronto as an unrestricted free agent after playing the previous four seasons in the Washington Capitals organization, where he split time between the Capitals and AHL Hershey. His contract is a one-year, two-way deal worth $650,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL.
Bowman, who re-signed with Carolina as a restricted free agent, will earn $600,000 playing in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL in 2012-13, with a guaranteed salary of $600,000 in 2013-14. He has played each of the last four seasons in the Hurricanes organization, splitting time between Carolina and AHL Charlotte.

Aucoin, 33, who once served as captain of the Albany River Rats, played two seasons for the Rats between 2006 and 2008. His best season with Albany came in 2006-07 when he recorded 27 goals and 72 assists for a franchise single-season record 99 points.

Bowman, 23, played just one season for the Rats during his four-year professional career, registering 17 goals and 15 assists in 56 games in 2009-10.